Apple has unveiled the new iPad Air with M4, offering a major boost in performance, enhanced graphics, and cutting-edge connectivity, all at the same starting price. Powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models deliver up to 2.3x faster performance than the M1 generation, making them ideal for creative workflows, gaming, AI tasks, and professional apps.
With more memory, higher bandwidth, and a faster Neural Engine, the new iPad Air also supports game-changing iPadOS 26 features, advanced cameras, and Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard accessories for unmatched versatility.
“iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.”
Blazing performance with M4
The M4 chip in iPad Air features an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, providing up to 30% faster performance than the M3 and over 2x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing compared to M1. Tasks like editing large video projects in Final Cut Pro or compositing images in Pixelmator Pro are noticeably faster, while the GPU’s hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing create stunning, realistic graphics for games and 3D apps. Whether for creators, students, or professionals, iPad Air with M4 handles demanding workflows effortlessly.
AI-powered productivity
iPad Air with M4 is built for AI. Its 16-core Neural Engine is 3x faster than M1, and unified memory jumps 50% to 12GB, with 120GB/s memory bandwidth. AI-powered features like subject detection in photos, on-device transcription in apps like Goodnotes, and advanced video editing in Apple Creator Studio run faster than ever. The Neural Engine also powers new capabilities in iPadOS 26, making everyday tasks like background removal in videos or smart document scanning smoother and more responsive.
Connectivity with N1 and C1X
For the first time, iPad Air includes Apple-designed N1 and C1X chips, unlocking Wi-Fi 7, 5G cellular support, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. N1 improves speed and reliability on Wi-Fi networks, while C1X enhances cellular performance by up to 50% faster than M3 models with 30% lower energy use. eSIM support ensures users can connect, transfer, and manage cellular plans digitally, perfect for travelers, students, and mobile professionals.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 adds a powerful windowing system for multitasking and app management. Users can control and switch between apps seamlessly, with a new menu bar for quick access to app commands. The Files app includes customizable folders, List view enhancements, and Dock integration, while the Preview app makes sketching, PDF markup, and image annotation faster with Apple Pencil or touch. Together with M4, iPadOS 26 elevates productivity and creative workflows.
Advanced accessories for creativity and work
iPad Air supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, letting users sketch, annotate, and interact with content in intuitive ways. Apple Pencil Pro adds new gestures and supports Find My for tracking. The Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically and includes a floating design, trackpad, and function row for precision control. Both accessories amplify creativity and productivity, whether for students, designers, or business professionals.
Designed with the environment in mind
Apple continues its sustainability efforts with iPad Air, made from 30% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum and cobalt, and manufactured using 40% renewable electricity. The device is durable, repairable, and designed to be energy-efficient, with 100% fiber-based paper packaging that’s easy to recycle.
Pricing, availability, and AppleCare
Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability March 11 in 35 countries. The iPad Air comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options. Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models are available at $599/$749 for 11-inch and $799/$949 for 13-inch, with education savings lowering prices further.
Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil options are available in black and white, and AppleCare+ offers coverage for accidents, theft, and battery replacement, along with 24/7 Apple support.
